Here are 6 steps you could follow when selecting an agency:
1. Decide what you need to buy, and your budget for expenditure
2. Develop your requirements, and if necessary, your Invitation to Quote (IQT) or Invitation to Tender (ITT)
3. Contact your preferred recruitment suppliers
4. Arrange pre-tender meetings and answer clarification questions
5. Evaluate supplier offerings
6. Agree terms and instruct the chosen supplier
If your company is a Public Sector organisation, you may find further advice on selecting an agency via a supplier framework here.
Factors to consider
There are a number of factors to consider when selecting a recruitment agency to supply your recruitment needs.
These factors will differ between Public and Private sector organisations, and even between each individual organisation, so it is important to have defined your needs and understand your obligations when working with an agency, as is the case with any third party supplier.
Agency fees should be very clear from the initial step. There are different ways an agency may charge you (percentage of the annual salary, fee based on the monthly salary, fixed fee, etc). What is important though, is to understand what is included in these fees.
A good approach, would be to have decided the available budget for this part of the project, ensuring that this budget is relevant to the market. It is suggested that a specialised person from within your organisation (procurement professional or otherwise, Human Resources) should manage this process, from sourcing to contract negotiation. Please note that this person may require support from the stakeholders involved with this recruitment need.
During the Invitation to Quote (ITQ) or Invitation to Tender (ITT) meetings you can identify the generic areas that play a significant role, no matter your specific requirements:
These include:
Even if the agencies are established experts in their area, you still need to ensure that they will cover your specific requirements and that you will be treated in the expected, professional manner.
1. Decide what you need to buy, and your budget for expenditure
2. Develop your requirements, and if necessary, your Invitation to Quote (IQT) or Invitation to Tender (ITT)
3. Contact your preferred recruitment suppliers
4. Arrange pre-tender meetings and answer clarification questions
5. Evaluate supplier offerings
6. Agree terms and instruct the chosen supplier
If your company is a Public Sector organisation, you may find further advice on selecting an agency via a supplier framework here.
Factors to consider
There are a number of factors to consider when selecting a recruitment agency to supply your recruitment needs.
These factors will differ between Public and Private sector organisations, and even between each individual organisation, so it is important to have defined your needs and understand your obligations when working with an agency, as is the case with any third party supplier.
Agency fees should be very clear from the initial step. There are different ways an agency may charge you (percentage of the annual salary, fee based on the monthly salary, fixed fee, etc). What is important though, is to understand what is included in these fees.
A good approach, would be to have decided the available budget for this part of the project, ensuring that this budget is relevant to the market. It is suggested that a specialised person from within your organisation (procurement professional or otherwise, Human Resources) should manage this process, from sourcing to contract negotiation. Please note that this person may require support from the stakeholders involved with this recruitment need.
During the Invitation to Quote (ITQ) or Invitation to Tender (ITT) meetings you can identify the generic areas that play a significant role, no matter your specific requirements:
These include:
- How the Agency ensures it complies with its legal and moral obligations.
- What the Agency’s terms and conditions expect of you, their Client.
- Areas where there are joint liabilities to be managed between your organisation and the Agency (Health & Safety for example).
- Whether the Agency’s processes are compatible or flexible with those of your organisation.
Even if the agencies are established experts in their area, you still need to ensure that they will cover your specific requirements and that you will be treated in the expected, professional manner.